MUSIC. art. CULTURE. HAMILTON. NEW ZEALAND

Local election voting papers arrived today for most of us, so here in our second article we feature the responses given by three of the remaining four people running for mayor – Chris Simpson, Andrew King, and Jack Gielen. Thanks to all candidates for taking the time to reply.

From tomorrow, (Sept 18), we will start publishing the responses from the 24 council candidates who made time to respond. They make for very interesting reading!

Q1. Have you attended much live music in Hamilton in your time? Any favourite memories? Any favourite Hamilton bands/artists?JG: I have produced my own albums check out reigningingrace.com. I played in a band called Trinity many years ago and play my own politically motivated music in the forums which I would be pleased to play for you.AK: I’m a rocker a blues man and gospel, I do follow and attend Anna Hawkins concerts whenever she is singing locally. When I first met my wife Anne, we attended The Exponents at the Metropol. 10cc at the Founders, Bob Dylan at Claudelands, Split Enz numerous times, Parachute and Festival One every year for the last 10 years plus. Late 80s Mercedes, The Little River Band. The list goes on and on. CS: I have attended a number of musical shows. I've been to the Nivara Lounge a number of times and The Hamilton Civic Choir put on a great Gilbert and Sullivan show last year which I enjoyed too. I've also attended other shows here in Hamilton.

Q2. Do you play a musical instrument and/or have you ever played in a band?JG: I play bass, drums and guitar, enjoying guitar the most.AK: No I am the only one in my family of 6 kids who didn’t learn classical piano. My mother was a piano teacher and my three children learnt classical piano amongst other instruments.CS: The only musical instrument I have played was the mixing deck at Tonic Time radio. I used to volunteer as a DJ up at the Waikato hospital in the late 80's early 90's and Tonic Time radio was the hospital's radio station for patients.

Q3. If elected, are there any things you would assist with, in terms of providing a more supportive infrastructure for nurturing a range of new musical talent in our city? (Radio/venues/practice spaces/recording facilities/grants/other) JG: I would like to see a poets and political podium in garden place. I operate with someone who has their own studio and would like to promote our own homegrown music. I would encourage artistic musical creativity on a big scale.AK: Happy to arrange for local groups to promote themselves through the monthly Mayor’s music during the lunch time gigs in the Council lounge for the public to attend. CS: Great question regarding supporting a range of musical talent and of course I'd look at where I and the council can help.

Q4. How do you listen to music these days - ipod/computer/vinyl/CD/cassette/other? JG: All of the above as I believe in promoting the message behind the music which needs to be expressed on a bigger scale than what it currently is.AK: Smart phone bluetoothed to a speakerCS: Mostly the computer these days - and we hook it up to the TV.Q5. What would be your favourite five albums or artists of all time?JG: Elvis, Hendrix, Grandfunk, The Grateful Dead, Wishbone Ash, Deep Purple, Aretha FranklinAK: 10cc – Guns n Roses – Gary Moore (Still got the blues for you) – Aerosmith – Alice Cooper – Jethro Tull.CS: Tough question to an ex DJ who loves music. I have so many I enjoy. However without evading the answer my top 5 are...and this is really hard...1. Lynyrd Skynrd (Freebird), 2. Bryan Ferry 3. Pink Floyd (Wish you were here) 4. Steve Earle (Immigrant) 5. Frozen - (Let it go). My partner Dani has a photo of me dancing to this song with our resident 7 year old. I've decided to come clean here in your magazine before she starts blackmailing me with it for new shoes. Don't judge me for it!